Improvement



3 Sheets--Shet1.

SAMUEL J. SHAW.

Manufacturing Boots and Shoes.

Nd. 123,736. Patentcf Feb. 13, I872.

' F ,4 7 d2 Z Wm 6 -Z 1 I 3 Sheets--Sheet 2.

S'AMUELLSHAW.

Manufacturing Boots and Shoes.

No. 123,736. Patented Feb. 13, 1872.

Q m A 3 Sheets--Sheet 3.

SAMUELLSHAW.

Manufacturing Bootsand Shoes.

No. 123,736. Patented Feb.13,18'7-2.

' the heel portion being omitted.

UNITED f STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL J. SHAW, OF MARLBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 123,736, dated February 13, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown thatI, SAMUEL J. SHAW, of Marlborough, inthe county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, Einvented certain Improvements in the Manufacture of Boots 7 View of my combined heel-lift and shankpiece. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a heellift and shank-piece of a different form. Fig. 5 is a plan of the pattern of sole which I employ in connection with my combined heellift and shank-piece. Fig. 6 is a modification of my invention. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section through the same, with the heel por tion of the outer sole and the heel in place.

The object of my invention is to provide a heel-lift and a shank-piece which shall extend under the heel and shank, to stiffen and strengthen the boot or shoe and prevent it from breaking down, as heretofore, this shank-piece being used where the outer sole is made in two pieces, or where the heel por-' tion of the sole-is omitted; and my invention also consists in the employment, in a boot or shoe having its outer sole made in two pieces, of a; piece of leather or other suitable material placed between the inner and outer sole, and extendingunder the joint between the two portions of the outer sole, whereby the boot or shoe is materially strengthened at this joint and prevented from breaking down.

To enableothers skilled in the art to understand and use my invention, I will proceed to describe the manner in which I have carried it out; A

In the said drawing, A represents a shoe, the outer sole B of which is of the for(nj1 shown, is the shank-piece, the forward portion a of which extends beneath the outer sole B, to shape or round and stifl'en the shank portion 11 thereof, the rear portion 0 of the shank-piece being --enlarged, and extending sufficiently far back to fornrthe heel portion of the sole B. The

shank-piece is secured to the inner sole by pegs or otherwise, when the outer sole is apcured in place; after which the heel is nailed on in the ordinary manner. The rear end of the sole B extends beneath the heel, and may be skived down so as to lie flush with the enlarged or heel portion 0 of the shank-piece f or this end of the sole may be left projecting above the portion 0, as seen in Fig.1, and the heel cut away to receive it.

It will be seen that my improved shankpiece not only forms the heel portion of the outer sole B, but also greatly stiffens and strengthens the boot or shoe at the point where it would otherwise-be the weakest and most description were employed.

Instead of making the heel-piece and shank-piece in one it is evident that the heel-piece may extend under the sole B only a short distance beyond the line a: :10, being fastened at both ends and the shank-piece being made separate. With this construction the boot or shoe will be strengthened, as before, but I prefer to make the heel-piece and shank-piece in one, as first described.

I do not confine myself to the exact form of shank-piece shown in Fig. 3, as it may be somewhat varied; for instance, it may be shaped as shown in Fig. 4; and in addition to its being made convex on the front portion of the upper side, as shown, it may bemade hol- ,low or concave on the rear portion of its under side to conform to the shape of the portion of the boot or shoe to which it is applied.

It is evident that my combined heel-lift and shank-piece may be used in a boot or shoe having its outer sole made in a single piece; for instance, it may be applied to a springheel shoe having no projecting heel, in which case it will serve to slightly raise the heel portion of the outer sole, as required.

In Figs. 6 and'7 is represented a modification of my invention, whichIwill now describe: D is the outer sole, made in two portions, 01 e, the joint between the two lying beneath the heel f. g is a piece of leather or other suitable material, which is placed between the in nor sole h and outer sole D, and is securely fastened to the inner sole by pegs or other wise. This piece g extends under the joint be' plied, bent over to its proper shape, and seliable to break down if an outer sole of this to round and"stiffen the shank portion of the outer sole D but the piece 9 may extend only a short distance under the front portion at of the outer sole and be fastened at both ends, While the shank-piece may be made separate.

Claim.

\Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A heel-lift and shank-piece made of a single piece of leather or other suitable material, substantially as described.

boot or shoe where the outer sole is made in two pieces, or where the heel portion is omitted, substantially as described.

3. I also claim, in a boot or shoe having its outer sole made in two or more pieces, a piece placed between the inner and outer soles directly under the joint, and extending under each portion of the outer sole, substantially as described.

Witness my hand this 5th day of December, A. D. 1871.

SAMUEL J. SHAW.

In presence of-- CLIFTON D. HUNTER, WILLIE A. OUTHANK. 

